Haddonfield a tennis success story again

Haddonfield is a perennial power in boys' tennis, especially at the Group 2 level.

The Bulldogs flew a bit under the radar this season. They seemed overshadowed by teams such as Moorestown, Lenape and Cherry Hill East as well as Cape-Atlantic powers such as Ocean City, St. Augustine Prep, and Middle Township.

Coach Jeff Holman's team stayed steady all season. The Bulldogs got better and better, and they were right there in the end, beating higher-seeded Middle Township in the South Jersey Group 2 finals and knocking off Central Jersey champ Manasquan in the state semifinals.

Haddonfield might have played its best tennis in its final match. The Bulldogs lost the Group 2 state finals by a 3-2 score to eventual Tournament of Champions finalist Chatham, a team that was ranked No. 1 in the state by the Newark Star-Ledger.

"I think this team got everything it could out of this season," Holman said.

Haddonfield went undefeated in Colonial Conference play, despite a strong challenge from what Holman called "the best West Deptford team we have encountered in my coaching career," which dates to the 1970s.

Haddonfield (29-5) rose to the challenge in the South Jersey finals. As the No. 2 seed, the Bulldogs knocked off top-seeded Middle Township by a 4-1 score.

Haddonfield was led by strong doubles teams. Senior Ty Simcox (35-5) and sophomore Luke Grabiak (38-6) were at No. 1 doubles, and senior Ian Roberts (35-4) and sophomore Sean Campbell (38-7) were at No. 2 doubles.

Sophomore Matt Godlewski's improvement at No. 3 singles was a key to the season, according to Holman. Godlewski finished with a 41-9 record.

Senior Brian Oatway went 33-9 at No. 2 singles, and senior Will Lawlor faced the toughest competition at No. 1 singles.